The Veteran's appeal for service connection of various conditions, including a left ankle disability and lumbar spine issues, has been remanded due to incomplete medical records. The initial ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and malunion of the left little finger have been denied.
The deciding factor: Incomplete medical records prevented the VA from obtaining necessary information to make an informed decision on the Veteran's claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, Malunion of the left little finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 5, 2023
- Citation
- 23064309
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23064309.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, post-operative left knee injury, hemorrhoids, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities preclude him from obtaining such employment.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was denied a higher rating prior to August 25, 2016. From August 25, 2016, the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and a retrospective medical opinion to assess the severity of his lower back disability prior to August 3, 2017. The issues of PTSD, GERD with hiatal hernia and IBS, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis are also remanded for updated examinations.
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